Covington High School kicks off year-long centennial celebration

Seniors at Covington High "totally excited" to be part of school's 100th graduating class

Nearly a century ago, in a small, wooden structure originally built as a dance hall and recreation center, Covington School became Covington High School. On Friday, with about 2,000 students, staff and notable alumni on hand at Jack Salter Stadium, the centennial celebration commenced. And it was a big deal, especially for the approximately 310 seniors, who are all part of the 100th graduating class.

Scott Threlkeld / Times-PicayuneStudents at Covington High School release balloons to begin their year-long centennial celebration at Jack Salter Stadium on Friday morning.

"My entire senior class is totally excited," said Jillian Carlos, a senior and Student Council president. "It's like 'We're 100!' while the juniors are like, 'Yay, we're 101,' and the seniors last year were 99th, so there was always a competition between us. It's fun.

"It's so hard to grasp that this school has been around for 100 years. Especially when you look at schools like Fontainebleau and Lakeshore, which are relatively new."

During its year-long celebration, those involved will reflect upon past events at the school and the incredible change it has seen since 1913, including a name change to Elmer E. Lyon High from 1928-45 and back again to Covington. In the late 1930s, the school almost was shut down due to serious budget woes; in 1965, all-black Rosenwall High was integrated with Covington; and in 1974, a fire destroyed the old campus on Jefferson Avenue before it was rebuilt in less than a year at its current location on U.S. 190.

Among the dignitaries in attendance was Evelyn Talley, one of the school's oldest living graduates. She said she remembers much of her time at Lyon. "I loved school."

She was quick to point out that her class of 90 in 1940 was the largest ever at that time, and she still has the trumpet she used as a member of the Lions' band.

"One thing is that all these children have automobiles," said Talley, when asked about the biggest difference between then and now. "Back then, maybe one or two families had a car and the parents might let the kids use them every now and then. ... In fact, before my time, many kids who lived out in the country had to board here because they had no transportation."

Today, student parking lots are full and Lions pride is evident throughout the campus.

"When you come to Covington High School, you can't help but get caught up in the 'bleed blue and gold.' There's no way you can escape it, because it's just contagious," said Deborah McCollum, who is in her fourth year as principal. "I never believed when my son graduated from Mandeville High playing football that I'd bleed blue and gold, but I truly do."

Several events are being planned throughout the school year. For more information, check the Covington High website.